Elvis Costello is a real trouper - his father Ross MacManus was a trumpet player who performed with the Joe Loss Orchestra.

So it's not surprising that he seems very much at home in the spotlight at Oxford's New Theatre.

Accompanied this time only by loyal keyboard player Steve Nieve, the singer, who started out with New Wave album My Aim Is True in 1977, did not have the luxury of hiding behind a big band.

His voice was exposed in a way it might not have been if he had been surrounded by backing singers and electric guitars.

This was a stripped back affair, designed to allow the audience to focus on the selected songs and the numerous amusing anecdotes.

Punch The Clock from 1983 is my favourite Costello album but I have never warmed to Pills and Soap and the singer got off to a slightly shaky start - I was relieved when the doleful number finished, wondering if his voice would last for more than two hours.

Watch Your Step from Trust perhaps lacked a little bite, but after that came a Marie's The Name/Green Shirt mash-up and the seasoned songwriter, who has just celebrated his 70th birthday, really got into his stride.

(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes, a catchy tune from his first album, was followed by two of the set's highlights, Ascension Day, a collaboration with Allen Toussaint, and Deportee, a reworking of The Deportees Club from that unloved LP Goodbye Cruel World.

(Image: Zoe Lawrence) Why have I not heard Deportee before? It sounded fantastic - captivating lyrics and a beautiful tune - but the reason I was not familiar with it was that it has only featured on a reissue of the King of America album.

I do have one reissue of King of America but not that one, and I'll need to save up before I can buy the latest 6CD version.

Instead of enjoying old favourites such as Watching the Detectives, which was featured, I ended up watching the setlist for songs I had never heard before.

After dispensing with Oliver's Army, one of his biggest hits despite its controversial lyrics, Costello brought it back at the New Theatre, updated with more politically correct words, but the crowd tried to sing the old version anyway.

They also sang along to a rather wistful version of I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down - nothing like the Northern Soul stomper we know and love.

Throughout most of the evening Steve Nieve was there, playing his different keyboards, frequently attracting rounds of applause for his virtuoso skills.

There was a technical glitch before Costello launched into the ballad She but like lightning he showed off his stagecraft and switched to a different microphone.

A Face In The Crowd, the theme song from the musical he has written, now being performed at the Young Vic, was truly one of the highlights of the night.

It wasn't quite clear whether there were any encores or not but the audience was more than satisfied after hearing Shipbuilding and the last song of the evening (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.

(Image: Zoe Lawrence) On Sunday night I had a clear view of the stage from the director's box in the circle, an innovation at the theatre in recent months.

There are six plush seats but instead my brother and I chose to perch on bar stools immediately behind them.

The director's box features a private drinks reception area, and fully stocked drinks and snack bar.

And there was a handy table so I could take notes on the fascinating setlist, featuring songs chosen from right across this prolific artist's extensive back catalogue.

Book Director’s Box seats here: https://atgtix.co/3TrnOi0

Andy Ffrench